From 18-29 March 2024, district superintendents and leaders from the Philippines-Micronesia Field traveled to South Korea for the 20th Korean Urban Church Growth and Spirituality training.

Different groups attend every year to observe and take home the best ministry and missions practices in Korea and apply them in their contexts.

The SangamDong Church of the Nazarene and Arnel Piliin spearheaded this 12-day trip. Min Gyoo Shin led the Filipino leaders on various trips to urban and rural local churches as well as the Korean National District Office, Korea Nazarene University, and Calvin University.

The goal of this trip was to inspire Filipino pastors and lay leaders to plant, grow, and rejuvenate church ministries in the Philippine context. The Filipino leaders had an opportunity to listen to the pastors and elders who shared about ministries in their local context.

“An insight I gained in this trip is that our character should match our calling,” said Ryan Cardinal, superintendent of the Metro Manila District. “This should be evident in our life consistency, which is observed in our prayer life and time management.”

The participants shared various reflections regarding their observations and personal experiences with the vibrancy and vitality of Korean churches they visited in urban and rural settings.

“The first thing I would share and develop in my local church is the importance of prayer, as I have observed in the Korean local church ministries,” said Emelyn Domaoal. “Second, worship through giving helps sustain the maintenance and repair of local church properties. Finally, I would like to share the importance of serving God through hospitality in reaching another soul.”

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific